It is the Year for Priests. It follows almost 44 years after the Vatican II decree on the laity, Apostolicam Actuositatem. It follows almost 44 years after a deepening of the understanding of the role of the laity in the Church and of the importance of the lay apostolate. It follows almost 44 years of a great flourishing of laity working in the Church whether it be in Catholic schools, parishes, chanceries, schools of theology, or the Vatican's curial offices.
So, just a quick check. This is the Year for Priests.
This year is "meant to deepen the commitment of all priests to interior renewal for the sake of a stronger and more incisive witness to the Gospel in today’s world" (Pope Benedict XVI in his Inaugural Letter Proclaiming the Year for Priests). The Holy Father ends this same letter with: "May his [St. John Vianney's] example lead all priests to offer that witness of unity with their Bishop, with one another and with the lay faithful, which today, as ever, is so necessary."
It is the Year for Priests, that is, a year for ministerial priesthood - a singular year which comes to us after nearly 44 years of a focus on the common priesthood. Just a quick check.
1 comment:
Could you possibly be referring to: http://newsinfo.nd.edu/news/12189
Don't forget it also follows 44 years after a council with a diminished theology of the ministerial priesthood; it follows nearly a decade after a scandal that sullied the good name of faithful priests; it follows a generation long decline in vocations to the priesthood.
Yeah, I just don't know why the Holy Father would want the Church to celebrate a Year For Priests. Glad we won't be doing any of that here.
Post a Comment